Barbados hosts CARIFESTA XV this August under the theme “Caribbean Roots… Global Excellence,” celebrating the rich, evolving tapestry of Caribbean culture.
The Youth Village is a cornerstone of the festival dedicated to dynamic, intergenerational creative programming. It invites young participants to engage in hands-on, interactive experiences—think artistic workshops, innovation zones, and cultural showcases—aimed at sparking imagination and fostering community across generations.
Creative Talks: “Big Conversations”
Complementing the Youth Village is a compelling lineup of Creative Talks known as “Big Conversations.” These intimate symposia encourage open dialogue around themes such as Caribbean identity, climate resilience, youth empowerment, sustainability, and cultural entrepreneurship. These spaces are designed to provoke thought, share lived experiences, and amplify youth voices as agents of change.
The Youth Village and Creative Talks are providing a platform where young people are both creators and leaders. With cultural entrepreneurship, eco-conscious projects, and creative education at its core, the initiative also benefits from supportive infrastructure—such as the newly unveiled Youth Village venue and broader sustainability efforts across the festival.
Island Girls Rock – Celebrating Caribbean Sisterhood
Island Girls Rock (IGR) are an intergenerational global sisterhood that celebrates, supports, and empowers Caribbean women and girls through the powerful fusion of culture, creativity, and wellness founded in 2015 by Chantal Miller. sought to create meaningful spaces where Caribbean heritage, voices, and creativity could thrive—especially within the diaspora community in London. Her initial idea became reality following a fundraiser for Dominica after Tropical Storm Erika, sparking a movement that evolved organically by community demand.
IGR’s mission is rooted in fostering connections, amplifying voices, and nurturing identity. Through events, mentorship, storytelling, and wellness initiatives, IGR honors Caribbean heritage while guiding the next generation to dream, grow, and thrive.
“We’re thrilled to announce that Sasha The Artist and Vanel B have been selected to represent Island Girls Rock at the CARIFESTA XV Youth Village & Creative Talks in Barbados this August.” said Chantal Miller.
“This moment didn’t just happen, we’ve been working hard behind the scenes for weeks to help bring it to life. It’s a real example of how our community shows up, advocates, and creates access to meaningful opportunities for its members.”
They have chosen two dynamic young women to represent them at CARIFESTA XV as they continue to boost their brand across the Caribbean.
Sasha Herbert, known professionally as Sasha The Artist, is a visual artist and creative entrepreneur from St. Kitts and Nevis, She was commissioned by the Office of the Prime Minister to create a painting presented to the CARICOM Secretary General and is a former recipient of the OECS 30 Under 30 Award and the 2024 Creative Excellence Award in Visual Arts (St. Kitts Department of Creative Economy), Sasha’s work has been exhibited across the Caribbean—including at CARIFESTA XIV’s Across Borders exhibition in Trinidad.
Vanel Bailey is a mentee on IGR’s ‘Bloom Where You’re Planted’ mentorship programme (artist co-hort) and has recently been appointed as a Youth Coordinators for their core team in Nevis.
Their attendance will be fully sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Innovation Fund through the Caribbean Development Bank.
The Cultural and Creative Industries Innovation Fund (CIIF), launched by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in 2017, was established with an initial capital injection of USD 2.6 million to stimulate innovation, enterprise sustainability, and job creation across the region’s cultural and creative sectors—including music, film, animation, festivals, fashion, and visual arts.